It’s an honour to win Player of the Year award, says Salah

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah expressed his pride after he was crowned the PFA Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

The Egypt international beat off competition from Manchester City trio David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, and Leroy Sane as well as Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

“It’s an honour to win the Player of the Year award, especially that it’s voted by fellow players,” said Salah after collecting the award in the 45th edition of the ceremony, which was held on Sunday night at Grosvenor House in London.

When asked if he could have dreamt of achieving this level of success in the Premier League after his disappointing stint at Chelsea, Salah said: “Yes. It was always my dream. From the first day I left the Premier League it was always in mind that I will succeed here, that I will return and show everyone my football. It was very clear in my mind.”

“I came back to the Premier League as a different person, different man, different player.

Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The Liverpool star was also asked about chasing down Ian Rush’s seasonal goalscoring record as the 25-year-old has bagged 41 goals in all competitions this season so far, six short of Ian Rush’s tally.

“I play for the team, not just for myself. Without my teammates, and the way we play. The players have helped me a lot to be here now and to score goals and I am very happy for that.”

“I have the chance to thank my teammates, the coaches and all in the club for what is happening now,” he added.

The former Basel winger, who helped Liverpool reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League, will now be playing against his former club AS Roma for a place in the competition’s final.

“It is very special to play for Liverpool in a semi-final. The atmosphere at Anfield is great.

“To play Roma it makes it extra special, as I still speak to my friends there. I am very excited for it,” he added.